Brian Robertson

Biography

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is one of the most successful pathogens affecting humankind: around 9 million people develop tuberculosis every year, resulting in 1.4 million deaths. Most people mount an immune response that is sufficient to control initial infection but they remain susceptible to reinfection or reactivation disease in later life. Immunological evidence suggests that up to two billion people worldwide may harbour latent tuberculosis, with a ten percent lifetime risk of developing active disease. The development of improved drugs, diagnostics and vaccines is central to the WHO End-TB strategy, which aims by 2035 for a: 95% reduction in TB deaths compared with 2015. 90% reduction in TB incidence rate compared with 2015. Zero TB-affected families facing catastrophic costs due to TB The aim of our research is to understand the host-pathogen interactions underlying the complex biology of tuberculosis infection, and to exploit this understanding for development of improved tools for disease control. We use genome-based biology, taking advantage of the availability of mycobacterial sequence data, techniques for mutagenesis and expression profiling, and the natural diversity of clinical isolates. We are investigating different ways to deliver anti-TB drugs, the potential of anti-microbial peptides, and host-directed therapies to improve TB treatment. We are also analysing how mycobacteria grow and divide, using microfluidics-based single cell analysis and time-lapse video microscopy. Analysis and integration of large amounts of data on host and pathogen responses to infection is increasingly dependent on techniques coming from systems biology including image analysis and mathematical modelling.

Research Interest

Molecular Bacteriology and Infection